Congenital syphilis Treponema pallidum through the placenta passed from mother to child during fetal development is a severe,disabling,and often life- threatening condition for the infant. Nearly half of all children infected with syphilis during gestation die shortly before or after birth. Congenital syphilis • Treponema pallidum ( through the placenta ) passed from mother to child during fetal development • is a severe, disabling, and often life￾threatening condition for the infant. • Nearly half of all children infected with syphilis during gestation die shortly before or after birth